REVIEW - POSEIDON 510T CENTRE CONSOLE

The two things I have learnt from boating over the years is never take hull design for granted and to consider the need for the many different boat types and their applications. So, with an open mind and due consideration of those two principles I approached the Poseidon 510T centre console, and I was pleasantly surprised.

This is a rather unusual package, with similarities to the islander-style longboats that gained popularity some years ago.

CLEVER DESIGN

The hull is reminiscent of years gone by, with clinker sides, a very flat-vee section and a most traditional full entry. However, a closer look reveals that this hull has some hidden secrets in the manner of some very large and deep reverse chine’s that give the package tremendous lift and tracking ability. The flat bottom and deep aerating chines allow minimal horsepower to raise the boat up onto the plane.

This boat test was carried out in conjunction with a larger, offshore style of boat at Melbourne’s Beaumaris Motor Yacht Squadron on a very blustery day with a 20-knot southerly whipping up a 1m chop. I don’t mind reporting that there weren’t many volunteers keen to brave the elements in this open centre console, but hey, that’s what I get paid for.

As I said earlier, I am pleased to say that I was very pleasantly surprised. The test boat had a basic fitout with a Mercury 40hp Lightning SR two-stroke engine bolted on the back, a centre console with short Perspex windscreen and grabrail, a pair of low-line stainless steel bowrails, bow fitting, a couple of short rear grabrails, navigation lights, a swing-down stainless steel ladder on the transom, fore and aft bollards, and that’s it.

Minimal it seems, but that may be part of the attraction. This package would make an excellent lure casting, or “loch style” fly-fishing boat. Having personally being taught squidding by friends of Mediterranean decent, I could see tremendous practicalities for the large open and uncluttered layout. It has many advantages for those chasing barramundi and other species in the Top End where long distances are travelled regularly, often in very choppy conditions similar to our test day.

ANGLER’S DELIGHT

The Poseidon 510T has terrific possibilities for estuary and impoundment anglers and certainly proved its limited coastal credentials on this day. The little 40hp Mercury did a terrific job pushing the 5m-fibreglass Poseidon through the choppy conditions. Its bow rises somewhat as the power is applied, but I had no passengers, or equipment, to balance the load as the rest of the gang sat back comfortably onshore.

They watched on in amazement as I put the hull (and myself) through a rather gruelling workout. The boat handled the chop well, with a predictable and surprisingly dry ride.

I took the Poseidon head-on into the sea at a rather easy pace, but still up on the plane and covering reasonable speeds. Running downhill, the hull loved some bow-high trim and it confidently surfed down the face of the steep chop and climbed over the next like an Olympic hurdler. After all, I guess the Olympics originated in Greece, too.

The boat tracked straight and true even when committing some deadly sins by quartering into and out of the considerable swell. The chine’s worked well by keeping the spray to a minimum and I never noticed any signs of grabbing or twisting.

In fact, I felt completely at ease with the hull and its abilities in most trying conditions.

Let’s face it, this boat is mainly built for calm-water use. But it’s nice to know that the hull is quite capable of contending with the inevitable slop that can be hazardous even in high country lakes.

The Poseidon 510T is built with a self-draining deck and fully compartmentalised twin-skin floatation. The hull and deck are fully bonded to create waterproof cavities right throughout the boat for maximum buoyancy and a high degree of inherent safety.

This method of construction has many safety advantages, but care must be taken during fitout to maintain the airtight integrity. Our test boat had been hurriedly assembled as I found some embarrassing loose screws and bolts.

As you have to drive the boat in the standing position, I highly recommend a steering wheel upgrade, as well as some better Jesus Bars to hang on to.

That said, the test boat was a clean canvas. A serious sportsfisherman, or diver, will take the bare package and fit it out according to their own taste and needs. It would also make an excellent workboat for a marina, crab potter or similar.

The hull itself is rated to 60hp, however the little 40hp Mercury two-stroke once again showed that there’s still a place in the market for these low-cost, lightweight powerhouses. Personally, while I see many advantages to four-stroke technology, I will be sorry should we ever lose the choice completely.

Another similarity to the longboats is the carrying capacity. In Europe, the Poseidon 510T is rated to carry up to seven passengers. In Victoria, the local regulations will reduce that to six. But there are great advantages to a flat bottomed boat in many applications: a huge loading capacity with minimal horsepower requirement and tremendous stability for its narrow 2.15m beam.

The Poseidon centre console has a good amount of storage in its moulded seat boxes as well as the fore and aft platforms.

There is more storage under the steering console where, I would imagine, most of the safety equipment may be conveniently stored. There is another cupboard with sliding Perspex doors under the steering wheel for valuables such as wallets, keys and mobile telephones. I was really pleased to see a separate anchor well eliminating the need to pull muddy anchors into the work area.

THE RAP

Overall, the Poseidon 510T will not be to everyone’s taste, but there will certainly be a niche that loves them. While there are a few rough edges, the general construction seems strong and the design is surprisingly seaworthy. The package will make an excellent base for a quite serious lure or fly-fishing package with a personalised fitout, and it certainly has some commercial application.

I will be tapping the boys at Regal Marine on the shoulder for a future lend of the Poseidon 510T centre console for my next estuary fishing sojourn. As the saying goes: “Don’t knock it till you try it.”

WHAT WE LIKED 

Great, dry ride

Open-plan layout

NOT SO MUCH

No grabrails

SPECIFICATIONS

HOW MUCH?

Price as tested: $24, 990

GENERAL 

Type: Clinker centre console

Material: GRP

Length (overall): 5.1m

Beam: 2.15m

Draft: 0.25m

Weight: 380kg (dry)

Deadrise: n/a

CAPACITIES 

Fuel: 25lt tote tank

People: Six

Rec. min. HP: 40

Rec. max. HP: 60

ENGINE 

Make: Mercury

Type: Loop-charged three-cylinder two-stroke outboard

Rated HP: 40

Displacement: 697cc

Weight: 69kg

Gearbox ratio: 2:1

Propeller:..........STD alloy

SUPPLIED BY

Regal Marine Pty Ltd,

514 Canterbury Road,

Vermont, Vic, 3133

Phone: (03) 9874 4624

Fax: (03) 9874 6586

Email: ross@regalmarine.com.au

Web: www.regalmarine.com.au

Originally published in TrailerBoat # 254